About Last Night: David Reinbacher gets point in Canadiens debut

Defenceman David Reinbacher made his NHL debut for the Montreal Canadiens (48-23-10) in a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders on Sunday at UBS Arena.

The former fifth-overall pick from 2023 was recalled after Noah Dobson was injured in Saturday’s loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was +1 and got his first assist in 11:17 of ice time.

Two Canadiens players reached point milestones. Captain Nick Suzuki got his 100th and 101st points, becoming the first Habs to hit the century mark since Mats Naslund in 1985-86.

With two assists, Lane Hutson tied Larry Robinson’s all-time team assist mark for a defenceman in a single season with 66.

Juraj Slafkovsky of the Montreal Canadiens retrieves the puck after a goal by Nick Suzuki against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

While the Habs were looking to avoid any additional injuries as they gear up for the postseason, the loss mathematically eliminated New York’s chances of reaching the playoffs. They were showered with boos from the hometown crowd after allowing three goals in a span of 55 seconds in the second period.

After a scoreless first period, the Canadiens made their mark physically in the second when Arber Xhekaj caught Scott Mayfield with a hit. Xhekaj got a penalty, as did Brayden Schenn defending his teammate.

Then came the trio of goals that crushed New York’s season. The first came from Suzuki, who was on the doorstep to tap in Juraj Slafkovsky’s feed. Suzuki became just the fifth Hab to hit 100 points, joining Guy Lafleur, Pete Mahovlich, Naslund and Steve Shutt.

To add insult to injury, the Islanders were issued a penalty on the play, and on the subsequent power play, Suzuki got his second point of the night setting up Ivan Demidov for the 2-0 marker.

Still less than a minute after the first goal, Alex Newhook became the third Hab to hit the scoreboard, ending a five-game goalless drought. Reinbacher collected his first NHL point with an assist on the goal.

At 8:45 of the third period, goaltender Jacob Fowler saw his shutout bid end after a Mayfield point shot was deflected in front by Casey Cizikas en route to the back of the net. In Fowler’s first start since last Sunday, he made 30 saves, including 16 in the third period. He had a .968 save percentage.

With 16 seconds left, the Canadiens dealt the final blow to New York’s season when Zachary Bolduc broke a seven-game scoring slump to make it 4-1 Habs. Newhook collected his second point of the night, and Kirby Dach got his first point since returning from injury. His last point came on March 7.

On Saturday night, the Columbus Blue Jackets played with desperation as they looked to grab the final available playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The New York Islanders were in the same position on Sunday and didn’t play with the same level of intensity.

They shocked the hockey world by firing coach Patrick Roy with four games left in their season, but the Hail Mary play wasn’t enough to reverse their fortunes.

Lane Hutson (#48) and Jayden Struble (#47) of the Montreal Canadiens defend against the New York Islanders during the first period at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

As for the Habs, the win won’t ease the blow of potentially losing Dobson for the playoffs. He’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks after blocking a shot with his left thumb. The defence received a reinforcement with Kaiden Guhle returning to the lineup after missing three games, and Alexandre Carrier could also return for the first round.

Against the Islanders, Jayden Struble played 18:43 and Xhekaj played 12:41, so it will likely take a committee to replace Dobson’s production. Reinbacher could also factor in the equation.

Coach Martin St. Louis is still experimenting with potential battery mates for Demidov on the second line. He will likely be pleased with Newhook’s performance against the Isles. Newhook sits atop the game score list on Hockey Stat Cards.

The Hockey Inside Out YouTube Livestream will return for Tuesday’s regular-season finale against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Skating in his first NHL game, David Reinbacher of the Montreal Canadiens checks Calum Ritchie of the New York Islanders during the second period at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

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